If you are suffering from Chromium allergy, you may know how complicated it is to find a diet that doesn’t trigger allergic reactions, rashes and more symptoms.

Chromium allergy affects between 1 and 3% of the population, and is often associated with hypersensitivity to other metals such as  Nickel and Cobalt. Together, these allergies are widespread even though many people do not know that  they are allergic.

What are the consequences of eating food or supplements containing Chromium when you are allergic?

Chrome is very present in common leather items, in cosmetics (blue, green and yellow tones) or in metals items (often associated with Nickel). When you think about Chromium allergy, what comes to mind first is the rash in a very precise area where your skin is in contact with Chromium.

But Chromium allergy is not always about allergic contact dermatitis. Indeed, several studies show that Chromium ingested through food or dietary supplements can cause systemic dermatitis.

This means that when someone who is allergic to Chromium ingests food or uses dietary supplements that contain Chromium, their skin may break-out in eczema like rashes widely over their body.

What food contains Chromium? And what should I avoid if I am suffering from Chromium allergy?

Chromium is present in many food items such as beef, livers, eggs, tomatoes, broccoli, green beans, whole grain products, and so on.

Chromium is also present in significant quantity in many nutritional or dietary supplements, as should be indicated on the packagings of these products.

What can I do to manage Chromium food allergy?

The first thing to do is to try to avoid Chromium. But we know that it can be very hard. As we have seen, Chromium is often present in food.

So you should also protect your skin and body from contact with Chromium. For instance, if you have to cook with utensils that contain metals, and therefore potentially some Chromium or related Nickel, try to wear gloves. Or you can use Chromium specific capturing creams such as Skintifique’s Protective Cream HPS or Skintifique’s Moisturizing Lotion HP.

In very severe cases of Chromium allergy, doctors may prescribe specific medicines. These medicines capture Chromium through a mechanism called “chelation” inside the body. This kind of solution has to be used under strict medical control. 

If you have any question, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer you! 

If you are concerned with allergy to Chromium, Nickel, or Cobalt, we also suggest you have a look at Skintifique's skincare products; thanks to the exclusive CapturifiqueTM technology, products such as the Protective Cream HPS and the Moisturizing Lotion HP have the unique ability to prevent Chromium and other common metal allergens from penetrating into the skin and therefore to preserve the skin from the effects of these allergens.